Hua Hin, Thailand: Filipino amateur Jobim Carlos is a step closer to earning an elusive Asian Tour card for the new season after shooting a third round one-under-par 70 to sit in tied-11th position at the Asian Tour Qualifying School presented by Sports Authority of Thailand on Friday.
The highly-rated 23-year-old, who just won his second Philippine Amateur title last week, hopes to keep his momentum going heading into the all-important final round at the par-71 Springfield Royal Country Club, where the top-40 and ties will earn an Asian Tour card for 2016.
Young Carlos, who started the round with a seven-shot deficit, marked his card with five birdies against four bogeys to trail co-leaders Chikkarangappa S. of India (72) and American Tom Johnson (71) by four shots with a three-day total of six-under-par 207.
The leading duo holds a one-shot lead over Korea’s Yikeun Chang and overnight leader Kevin McLister, who shared third place on 204 after returning with rounds of 71 and 74 respectively.
Carlos, who had claimed his second Philippine Amateur title by a whopping 10-shot last week, surprised even himself with a good run so far in what is his first attempt at the Qualifying School.
“I knew I have a chance given the way I am playing but I didn’t expect myself to play this well. I think all golfers from Asia would want to play on the Asian Tour. That’s the way to get my career up another level. To get to this close in my first try is definitely a good boost for me,” said Carlos, who plans to turn professional within the next two months.
Carlos thanked his countryman and roommate Charles Hong for showing him the ropes on what to expect. “I am staying with Charles this week and he has been guiding me through this process. There are a lot of things that you manage on your own as a professional. That’s different from being an amateur. I am really thankful for his help.”
Australian Marcus Both, who endured a lacklustre season in 2015, hopes to seek redemption by regaining his Tour card for the new season. He carded a 72 to match Carlos’ efforts in tied-11th place.
“I didn’t play as well as I did the last two days. I didn’t drive the ball well. The conditions were tough but I know everyone’s facing the same. It’s a tricky golf course but I know I’m still in a good position to secure my card. I will try my best again tomorrow,” said the 36-year-old Both.
“Coming to the Qualifying School was necessary for me although I didn’t resign myself to the fate that I was going to come here at the end of last year. I started playing well over the last few weeks last year but it just wasn’t enough to keep my card. I worked on my game over the break and I am glad it’s paying off now,” added Both, who won the 2014 Philippine Open.
Finland’s Janne Kaske, who carded a 69 to sit in tied-17th on 208, is delighted to give himself a chance to play on the region’s premier Tour in 2016 after missing the halfway cut in his last attempt in 2015.
Despite failing to secure his Tour card through playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last season, the 29-year-old took pride in capping a solid season where he chalked up two victories and four top-10s to finish eighth on the final Order of Merit.
“I am happy to put myself in a good spot. I just need another solid round tomorrow. I am surprised that I don’t feel nervous at all. I gained a lot of confidence from playing on the ADT last year and I have played well. I feel like I deserve a chance to play on the Asian Tour this year. I have been keeping that in mind,” said Kaske.
The top-40 and ties will earn an Asian Tour card for the 2016 season after the final round.
All Qualifying School entrants will be eligible to compete on the burgeoning ADT, which was inaugurated in 2010 as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour. The secondary circuit staged a record total of 28 tournaments in the 2014 season.
Leading third round scores:
203 - Tom JOHNSON (USA) 65 67 71, Chikkarangappa S. (IND) 67 64 72
204 - Yikeun CHANG (KOR) 63 70 71, Kevin MCLISTER (USA) 64 66 74
205 - Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 70 68 67, Sebastian HEISELE (GER) 68 67 70, Michael WRIGHT (AUS) 66 67 72
206 - David LUTTERUS (AUS) 71 70 65, Raphael DE SOUSA (SUI) 69 69 68, Wolmer MURILLO (VEN) 68 68 70
207 - Soonsang HONG (KOR) 70 70 67, Dodge KEMMER (USA) 68 71 68, Hamza AMIN (PAK) 72 66 69, Victor OSTERBY (DEN) 70 67 70, Jobim CARLOS (A) (PHI) 69 68 70, Marcus BOTH (AUS) 68 67 72
208 - Janne KASKE (FIN) 71 68 69, Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) 68 69 71
209 - Jay BAYRON (PHI) 70 73 66, Bryce EASTON (RSA) 72 68 69, Greg MOSS (USA) 71 68 70, Jose ROLZ (GTM) 68 71 70, Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 68 70 71, Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 70 68 71, Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) 73 65 71, Seunghyun CHOI (KOR) 72 65 72
